Found Deceased GA - Eddie Noonkester, Dawson County, Appalachian Trail, 16 Feb 2020

[wendybtn]

Search underway for missing hiker in north Georgia

 

[wendybtn]

He is a thru-hiker on the Appalachian Trail.

 

[carbuff]

I hope he's okay.

 

[YaYa_521]

Search underway for missing hiker in north Georgia

Eddie Noonkester began a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail on Friday.

Dawson County Fire and Emergency Services says Noonkester has since become disoriented and may be suffering from a medical emergency.

Snip

His family member posted the following in a Facebook hiking group:

“He was delirious Sunday morning. We had him call 911, they pinged his phone told him to stay still. The authorities looked yesterday and no luck. They are looking today. He was last pinged in or near samples way in Dawsonville @ 1530 Sunday. Please look out for him.”

 

[LadyL]

I hope he has adequate supplies. Could he be delirious cause he ran out of water? It doesn't sound like he stayed put as advised though if the searchers couldn't find him. Very worrisome.

 

[Suglo]

Article updated this afternoon:

“Around 2 p.m. Monday, they found some of his gear and were able to narrow down the search.”

Search underway for missing hiker in north Georgia

 

[zecats]

خرائط ‪Google‬‏‏

This is confusing. You can see from the map here that where his phone last pinged is not real close to Springer MT, which is where the southern trailhead (terminus) of the AT is located. Did he actually start the hike?

 

[carbuff]

خرائط ‪Google‬‏‏

This is confusing. You can see from the map here that where his phone last pinged is not real close to Springer MT, which is where the southern trailhead (terminus) of the AT is located. Did he actually start the hike?

From the article: "Authorities believe he is on or near the Appalachian Trail approach trail somewhere in Dawson County, but say it is possible he wandered off the trail and into surrounding National Forest or Park property."

The AT starts at the top of Springer Mountain, so you have to get to the top first. There's a road, but many people hike. Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests - Springer Mountain Trailhead

 

[zecats]

From the article: "Authorities believe he is on or near the Appalachian Trail approach trail somewhere in Dawson County, but say it is possible he wandered off the trail and into surrounding National Forest or Park property."

The AT starts at the top of Springer Mountain, so you have to get to the top first. There's a road, but many people hike. Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests - Springer Mountain Trailhead

Thanks....Yes I know that there is an approach trail of about 8 miles I believe. . The map and address just made it look like he was still in town somewhere, according to his phone. Maybe I misunderstood or misread.

I also know the approach and the beginning of the AT at Springer Mt is fairly strenuous. Though, if he had plans to thru hike, then he would likely be in good physical and mental shape....

Mainly I hope he's ok.

 

[carbuff]

Thanks....Yes I know that there is an approach trail of about 8 miles I believe. . The map and address just made it look like he was still in town somewhere, according to his phone. Maybe I misunderstood or misread.

I also know the approach and the beginning of the AT at Springer Mt is fairly strenuous. Though, if he had plans to thru hike, then he would likely be in good physical and mental shape....

Mainly I hope he's ok.

Oh, I see what you mean. I guess I was guilty of an unconsidered assumption that as with many mountain areas, everything pings off just one or two towers, so you can be quite a distance away. The trailhead at Amicalola Falls SP is about three or four miles away, so I took it to mean just that he hadn't gone very far before he ran into trouble.

But that's a lot of assuming on my part.

 

[zecats]

Oh, I see what you mean. I guess I was guilty of an unconsidered assumption that as with many mountain areas, everything pings off just one or two towers, so you can be quite a distance away. The trailhead at Amicalola Falls SP is about three or four miles away, so I took it to mean just that he hadn't gone very far before he ran into trouble.

But that's a lot of assuming on my part.

Agree with you. It is confusing. Also, if he started out on Friday, I'd think he would have reached the Springer Mt trailhead by Sunday. Maybe he became lost before he reached it.

Seems he must have contacted family first and they suggested he call 911.

 

[Wild Rose]

Is it warm at night there?

 

[JudgeJoe]

Is it warm at night there?

Upper 40’s in that area tonight.

 

[JudgeJoe]

Agree with you. It is confusing. Also, if he started out on Friday, I'd think he would have reached the Springer Mt trailhead by Sunday. Maybe he became lost before he reached it.

Seems he must have contacted family first and they suggested he call 911.

Starting on Fri, he should have reached the trailhead in 4-6 hrs. It’s really hard to get lost- white blazes on tree bark, rocks & paths. There are at least 3 shelters near the trailhead. 1 right before, 1 right after & a 3rd a bit beyond that. You’d have to be having a medical condition to get disoriented imo. Dehydration shouldn’t be an issue this time of year. Puddles, streams, springs & rain.

 

[zecats]

Starting on Fri, he should have reached the trailhead in 4-6 hrs. It’s really hard to get lost- white blazes on tree bark, rocks & paths. There are at least 3 shelters near the trailhead. 1 right before, 1 right after & a 3rd a bit beyond that. You’d have to be having a medical condition to get disoriented imo. Dehydration shouldn’t be an issue this time of year. Puddles, streams, springs & rain.

Exactly. Though there was a missing hiker case here a few years back where the person got off the trail and never found her way back. Those white blazes can be missed. I've done parts of the trail and have had to look hard for the next one from time to time.

And I agree with you - Friday to Sunday and he didn't get very far.

 

[JudgeJoe]

Exactly. Though there was a missing hiker case here a few years back where the person got off the trail and never found her way back. Those white blazes can be missed. I've done parts of the trail and have had to look hard for the next one from time to time.

And I agree with you - Friday to Sunday and he didn't get very far.

My fam elected to do the AT for a 3 week summer vacation 4 yrs ago. We were the slowest ppl on the trail lol. Of course we didn’t get far in 3 weeks, but the only GA section that got confusing was the stretch before Neel Gap. Blazes were farther apart & torrential rain & crashing lightning didn’t help. I’m thinking this must be medical- stroke, blood sugar, blood pressure? Idk, but I hope Eddie is ok! I don’t recommend AT for solo hiking for anyone.

 

[JudgeJoe]

From the link:
“The search will continue overnight with six K-9 teams, Chief Danny Thompson told Channel 2 Action News. If Noonkester is not found by the morning, a press conference is scheduled for 10:30 a.m.”

Don’t see news they found EN- so presser in about an hour.

Officials searching for missing North Georgia hiker on Appalachian Trail

 

[moonriverfarm]

Delirious sounds like he became ill.

 

[carbuff]

Article updated with press conference info Search continues for missing North Georgia hiker on Appalachian Trail

 

[Suglo]

Bump.